Southampton is not having a good season in their current campaign of the Premier League. Losing key players to injuries throughout the season, the South coast club are currently stranded at the 12th position in this year’s points table, and are looking to rebuild their side for the next season.
The Saints might have to let go off quite a few players during the summer transfer window. That has irked an urgency to bring in reinforcements into the team for the next season, with a number of players being linked with them. One of them who is right on the top of their priority list is the Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho.
The youngster has been in good form of late for his current club and has been playing a crucial role since his inclusion in the first-team squad by former coach Manuel Pellegrini in the season prior to the present one. The Nigerian is known for his strong presence on the pitch and started on a regular basis in the last season for The Citizens, scoring 14 goals in 35 appearances under Pellegrini.
However, this season, things took a different shape with the arrival of Brazilian starlet Gabriel Jesus. Iheanacho was pushed down the pecking order by the present coach Pep Guardiola and with the availability of the Argentine talisman Sergio Aguero as well, Iheanacho was left on the bench for most of the season by the Spanish coach.
Iheanacho has started only eight games this term for Manchester City, with a tally of seven goals in 27 appearances. Speculations are rife that the Nigerian youngster might be shown the door during the next transfer window, and Southampton are looking to latch on to the opportunity in order to strengthen their strike force with the inclusion of the influential hitman.
Reportedly, Manchester City has put a price tag of £20 million on their prized possession. However, Southampton have shown interest to bag the Nigerian striker on loan from his current club for the next season. The Saints are reportedly looking to bring in players for other positions in their squad as well and it might not be possible to spend £20 million on one particular player.
Sources suggest that European clubs are also in the hunt for making Iheanacho wear their colours in the upcoming campaign. Inclusive of these are two clubs from the German Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund and Hoffenheim, who reportedly want to bring in the Manchester City player to strengthen their squad. So Southampton will have to act fast if they want Iheanacho to play at the St Marys next season.
